School Climate and the Latino-White Achievement Gap

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study was to address disparities of academic achievement and school-based factors to help ameliorate them. The study sought to examine the relationship bet ween school climate and the achievement gap between Latino and White students. Achievement gap was defined at the school level as the difference in percentage of White and Latino students who passed the state standardized test. School climate was measured by a survey of teacher perceptions of school climate. Significant relationships were found between school climate and achievement gap, indicating school climate as a potential avenue for promoting equity in education.